Women. You can say this word any way you want. No matter how you say it, this word will form an image in everyone's minds. The image of a daughter, sister or mother. The image of a women fighting for her rights. The image of her small then large. The image of her lost then found. The image of her weak then powerful. Empowered. March is Women's History Month when we honor the women who came before us for fighting for the rights we have now. Society has come a long way since 1920 and the 19th amendment that provided women suffrage. We must look back at this month and remember the great women of the past; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony. We must let the passion of these individuals inspire us and guide us to continue the fight, especially among youth. However, to do that, we must start with ourselves. In order to effectively create gender equality, women must perceive themselves as equal to a man. This means that a businesswoman should make the same as a businessman. A female lawyer should make the same salary as a male lawyer. However, in 2012, the census found that women, on average, made about 81% of the median earnings of their male counterparts. Violence, sexual assault, and aggravated assaults have been on the rise since 2010 as well. To truly honor the great work of those who came before us, we must continue to give importance to these issues. That is the only way to make equality a reality.

Women have opened doors in the ways of empowerment and held significant contributions to fields such as science, activists, freedom fighters, politics, military etc. I salute those who have struggled in the past to grant us the rights we have today. I am proud to be part of their movement and continue the legacy.

This month reminds me of the great history of strong women who came before me who worked hard to get us where we are now. Now we must honor Women's History Month and become inspired to continue the fight, the journey, and the light to empowerment.